Stars Line Up For James Joyce Tribute

The renowned Dublin writer (who died in 1914) wrote a series of acclaimed books including 'Dubliners' (1914) and 'Ulysses' (1922) though its his first work, 1907’s 'Chamber Music' a sequence of 36 romantic poems that has provided the inspiration for a new compilation.

The album, also entitled ‘Chamber Music’, features original songs which use lyrics from the poems themselves. The collection will also come out in spring 2004 and will be released on CD, DVD and double vinyl. A documentary is planned to be broadcast at the same time.

Amongst the artist who have contributed to the project are REM’s Peter Buck, Jeff Tweedy from Wilco, actor Vicent Gallo, Mercury Rev, Wayne Kramer from the MC5, Jim O'Rourke, Steve Shelley, Nic Dalton from the Lemonheads, Sonic Youth’s Lee Ranaldo, Flying Saucer Attack, plus a massive list of bands who we’ve never ever heard of, but that’s not to say they aren’t excellent.

Rumours that Liam Gallagher, the drummer from Starsailor and Leppo from The Coral have recorded a similar tribute, with each musician contributing a track based on individual pages of Richard Hargreaves’ ‘Mr Bump’ are yet to be confirmed.